With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

12 comments:

Anonymous
said...

They may play the position differently, but Polamalu plays it better. Troy does all the things Ed Reed does and more. There are things Troy does that Reed couldn't dream of doing. Reed is weak against the run and just lacks Troy's athletic ability. Then again, I consider Troy Polamalu to be a top-5 player in the league, at any position, when healthy.

When Ed Reed vaults over the Steelers offensive line to stop Ben Roethlisberger on a 4th and inches, let me know.

Even the most ardent of Steelers fans has to admit that Reed can also do some things that Polamalu does not. His ball skills are second to none.Could Troy do that? Perhaps. But he doesn't. Reed is one of the best ballhawks in NFL history.

I'm not going to cut off Ed Reed at the knees to make Troy look taller, he's a Hall of Famer. It's really not fair to either of them to compare the two, they play the position so differently.

Clark receiving votes is a joke, I think he's average at best. The whole "perfect compliment for Troy" thing is just a myth. They said the same thing about Chris Hope, and even Tyrone Carter looked like an All-Pro playing next to Troy. I'm certain Ryan Mundy would be the "perfect compliment for Troy" too if he got the chance.

The reality is that Clark was awful in 2009 when Troy was hurt, along with Ike Taylor, Willie Gay, Ty Carter, and everyone else in the secondary.

Troy is an incredible ballhawk in his own right. He's had 17 picks over the past 3 seasons and that doesn't include the playoffs. And his picks are unreal. '09 Season opener vs. Tennessee? '08 Chargers? 2008 AFCCG pick 6? He can play cover safety and still make incredible sacks, strips, tackles for loss and a plethora of other incredible plays.

Ed Reed is a great ballhawk. I'll admit that -- he is great. He's going to the Hall of Fame. But he's a one trick pony compared to a master of all trades. Troys incredible versatility puts him ahead. He's revolutionizing the safety position.

Troy has redefined his position and as a unique player he deserves the top spot but anyone who describes Ed Reed as anything other than a hall of fame player is a homer. nothing wrong with rooting for the home team but if you know football you know Ed Reed is special.